2021 NFL Draft Primer: Days 2 & 3

 

Jalen Mayfield

Last night defensive end Kwity Paye went #21 overall to the Indianapolis Colts. I discussed offensive tackle Jalen Mayfield yesterday as a possible first rounder (LINK), but as expected, he did not go off the board on night one.

So besides Mayfield, who's next?

Wide receiver Nico Collins measured in at 6'4", 215 lbs., having lost weight since he last wore a Michigan uniform in 2019. He ran a 4.43 at Michigan's pro day, broad jumped 10'5 3/4", and showed a 37.5" vertical. Even though I have doubts about that forty time, I don't think anyone expects him to be a burner in the NFL. He can be a matchup probably with his size. I thought he might be a good fit for a team like the Philadelphia Eagles, but the Eagles already went with a wide receiver (albeit a small one) in Devonta Smith.
Projected draft spot: Rounds 2-3

Cornerback Ambry Thomas is probably the next best bet. At 5'11" and 191 lbs., Thomas showed off a 38" vertical, broad jumped 10'2", and ran the forty in 4.37. He opted out of the 2020 season, but he was a shutdown corner when he last played in 2019. Will teams hold it against him that he missed 2020? That remains to be seen, but a few guys who opted out of 2020 still went in the first round.
Projected draft spot: Rounds 3-4

Linebacker Cam McGrone missed a chunk of the 2020 season with a torn ACL, and he wasn't playing that well before the injury, anyway. At 6'0" and 234 lbs., he was unable to run the forty and did 20 reps on the bench press. McGrone only started for part of 2019 and part of 2020, and he probably left too early. It would not surprise me if he went undrafted, and it would not surprise me if he went in the 5th round.
Projected draft spot: Rounds 6-7

Fullback Ben Mason weighed in at 6'2" and 246 lbs. He did 29 reps on the bench, ran a 4.72, and broad jumped 9'9". Fullbacks have gone the way of the dodo in recent years, but he's such a devastating lead blocker that I think he can fill a role on a roster somewhere.
Projected draft spot: Rounds 6-7

Running back Chris Evans is 5'11" and 211 lbs. He clocked a 4.44 forty, did 20 bench press reps, had a 40.5" vertical, and broad jumped 10'7". His pro day was arguably the most impressive of any Michigan player, and yet his overall lack of production at Michigan leaves some questions about what he can really do at the next level. He never topped 685 rushing yards in a Wolverines uniform, and his final season included just 73 rushing yards and 87 receiving yards. I think he can play in the NFL, but it would be a little odd for him to get drafted.
Projected draft spot: Round 7 or UDFA

Other draft-eligible players I do not expect to get drafted:

• LS Cameron Cheeseman
• TE Nick Eubanks
• DT Carlo Kemp
• K Quinn Nordin

2021 NFL Draft Primer: 1st round

 

Oct 20, 2018; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Kwity Paye (19) prepares for the snap of the ball during the second half of a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

I have not delved into the NFL Draft this spring as much as I normally would. There's a good reason for that. I got roped into coaching a spring sport this year (temporarily), and in addition to my regular football coaching duties, it has really thrown off my schedule. I've been struggling to stay afloat in real life, let alone writing regularly for the blog. Luckily, that coaching situation resolved itself and I am now back to regularly scheduled programming.

Briefly, I wanted to take a look at tonight's 1st round of the NFL Draft.

There are two Michigan prospects who could hear their name called. One is almost a certainty, and the other is unlikely.

First, defensive end Kwity Paye measured in at 6'2", 261 lbs. with a 74 4/8" wingspan and 10" hands. He did 36 reps on the bench, showed off a 35 1/2" vertical, broad jumped 9'10", and ran the forty in 4.52. (I don't trust pro day forty times, so it was probably more like a 4.62, which is still pretty good. I've heard multiple draft analysts mention that they do not believe Paye was used optimally at Michigan because he moved around so much (DE, DT, NT) and was not allowed to excel at being a pass rusher. They think he will be better in the NFL once he's able to stabilize his position.
Possible landing spots: #10 to Dallas, #12 to Philadelphia, #14 Minnesota, #17 Las Vegas

Second is offensive tackle Jalen Mayfield. Mayfield measured in at 6'5" and 326 lbs. with a 79 5/8" wingspan and 9 3/4" hands. He ran a 5.31 forty (or 5.41) with a 7.86 three cone drill and a 4.91 5-10-5 shuttle. Mayfield played pretty well for a redshirt freshman in 2019, but he came back late for the 2020 season . . . and didn't last very long before getting injured. He never reached his potential at Michigan, but he could be a right tackle or a guard in the NFL. I think he's more likely to end up in the second or third round, but slipping into the late first is a possibility.
Possible landing spots: #23 New York Jets, #24 Pittsburgh, #27 Baltimore, #29 Green Bay, #31 Baltimore

Michigan's NFL Draft History

 

Probably like many of you, I occasionally have a hankering for some Michigan NFL Draft history. Below you will find (as far as I'm aware) every pro draft pick in the history of Michigan's football program going all the way back to 1937.

A few little factoids:

• Michigan's only two #1 overall NFL Draft picks are Jake Long in 2008 and Tom Harmon in 1941.
• Michigan set a record in 2017 with 11 total draft picks.
• Michigan's record number of 1st round NFL draft picks is a tie with 3 each in 1995 (Tyrone Wheatley, Ty Law, Trezelle Jenkins) and 2001 (David Terrell, Steve Hutchinson, Jeff Backus).

2021
1st round: Kwity Paye - DE - Indianapolis Colts (#21 overall)
3rd round: Jalen Mayfield - OT - Atlanta Falcons (#68 overall)
3rd round: Nico Collins - WR - Houston Texans (#89 overall)
3rd round: Ambry Thomas - CB - San Francisco 49ers (#102 overall)

2020
1st round: Cesar Ruiz - C - New Orleans Saints (#24 overall)
2nd round: Josh Uche - OLB - New England Patriots (#60 overall)
4th round: Ben Bredeson - OG - Baltimore Ravens (#143 overall)
5th round: Khaleke Hudson - LB - Washington Redskins (#162 overall)
5th round: Mike Danna - DE - Kansas City Chiefs (#177 overall)
6th round: Michael Onwenu - OG - New England Patriots (#182 overall)
6th round: Donovan Peoples-Jones - WR - Cleveland Browns (#187 overall)
6th round: Jon Runyan, Jr. - OG - Green Bay Packers (#192 overall)
6th round: Josh Metellus - S - Minnesota Vikings (#205 overall)
6th round: Jordan Glasgow - LB - Indianapolis Colts (#213 overall)

2019
1st round: Devin Bush, Jr. - LB - Pittsburgh Steelers (#10 overall)
1st round: Rashan Gary - DE - Green Bay Packers (#12 overall)
3rd round: Chase Winovich - OLB - New England Patriots (#77 overall)
3rd round: David Long, Jr. - CB - Los Angeles Rams (#79 overall)
5th round: Zach Gentry - TE - Pittsburgh Steelers (#141 overall)

2018
3rd round: Mason Cole - C - Arizona Cardinals (#97)
5th round: Maurice Hurst, Jr. - DT - Oakland Raiders (#140)

2017
1st round: Jabrill Peppers - S - Cleveland Browns (#25)
1st round: Taco Charlton - DE - Dallas Cowboys (#28)
3rd round: Chris Wormley - DT - Baltimore Ravens (#74)
3rd round: Jourdan Lewis - CB - Dallas Cowboys (#92)
3rd round: Delano Hill - S - Seattle Seahawks (#95)
3rd round: Amara Darboh - WR - Seattle Seahawks (#106)
4th round: Ben Gedeon - LB - Minnesota Vikings (#120)
4th round: Ryan Glasgow - DT - Cincinnati Bengals (#138)
4th round: Jehu Chesson - WR - Kansas City Chiefs (#139)
5th round: Jake Butt - TE - Denver Broncos (#145)
6th round: Jeremy Clark - CB - New York Jets (#197)

2016
3rd round: Graham Glasgow - C - Detroit Lions (#95)
4th round: Willie Henry - DT - Baltimore Ravens (#132)
6th round: Jake Rudock - QB - Detroit Lions (#191)

2015
2nd round: Devin Funchess - WR - Carolina Panthers (#41)
2nd round: Frank Clark - DE - Seattle Seahawks (#63)
4th round: Jake Ryan - LB - Green Bay Packers (#129)

2014
1st round: Taylor Lewan - OT - Tennessee Titans (#11)
3rd round: Michael Schofield - OT - Denver Broncos (#95)
7th round: Jeremy Gallon - WR - New England Patriots (#244)

2013
5th round: Denard Robinson - RB - Jacksonville Jaguars (#135)
6th round: William Campbell - DT - New York Jets (#178)

Hit the jump for the remainder of Michigan's historical draft picks.

Tyler Morris, Wolverine

 

La Grange Park (IL) Nazareth Academy WR Tyler Morris (image via 247 Sports)

La Grange Park (IL) Nazareth Academy wide receiver Tyler Morris committed to Michigan last week. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Florida, Notre Dame, and Penn State, among others.

Morris is a 6'0", 165 lb. prospect. He was a teammate of Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy up through the 2019 season (McCarthy transferred to IMG Academy for the 2020 season).

RATINGS
ESPN: 4-star, 83 grade, #15 WR, #135 overall
Rivals: 4-star, 5.9 grade, #8 WR, #78 overall
247 Sports: 4-star, 94 grade, #9 WR, #77 overall

Hit the jump for more.

2021 Season Countdown: #129 Peter Simmons III

 

Peter Simmons III (image via Hudl)

Note: I skipped #130 because Willie Allen transferred (LINK) and I'm not going to bother posting about him later, so the countdown jumps from #131 to #129.

Name: Peter Simmons III
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 282 lbs.
High school: Fort Myers (FL) Bishop Verot
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Simmons was a senior in high school.
TTB Rating: N/A

Simmons committed to Michigan as a preferred walk-on, despite some offers from smaller colleges, including FCS Butler. He's rather limited when it comes to athleticism, and obviously, it's tough to play offensive line as any kind of freshman, scholarship-level or walk-on. I full expect him to redshirt and play on the scout team.

Prediction: Redshirt

Willie Allen, Ex-Wolverine

 

Willie Allen

Offensive tackle Willie Allen has entered the transfer portal after spending the winter at Michigan. He transferred from Louisiana Tech, after he transferred from Tyler Junior College, after he transferred from LSU. So wherever he ends up from here, it will be Allen's fourth college.

Allen was expected to compete for an open offensive tackle job, but word out of Schembechler Hall was that he needed to put in plenty of work to get into playing shape at Michigan. After sitting out the 2020 season, it's not too surprising that a guy who hasn't played football in two years might be a little bit rusty.

I had a hard time seeing where Allen would fit in Michigan's plans, though he was a nice insurance policy. Michigan has younger guys that seem like they're on a good track to play at a high level.

2021 Season Countdown: #131 Noah Howes

 

Noah Howes (image via Twitter)

Name: Noah Howes
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 250 lbs.
High school: Rochester (MI) Rochester Hills
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Howes was a senior in high school.
TTB Rating: N/A

Howes recently committed to Michigan as a walk-on, spurring a scholarship offer from Navy. At 6'4" and 250 lbs., it's easy to see why the Midshipmen offered. They like athletic linemen who might not have the mammoth size that other schools prefer. The nice thing about a place like Michigan is that he would not be expected to contribute early, so he can join the program, add some weight, get in the weight room, and potentially be a contributor down the road.

I really appreciate how Howes plays, the way he finishes blocks and then hustles back to the huddle. That kind of effort, hustle, and enthusiasm can carry over to teammates, and if he works that way in the weight room, Michigan might have found a diamond in the rough.

Prediction: Redshirt